Q & A: Maria Todaro on Her New Productions of ‘The Anonymous Lover’ & Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges

Photo Credit: Tania Barricklo Multi-talented opera director, fight choreographer, composer, singer, and conductor Maria Todaro spoke with OperaWire about revising the recent productions of “The Anonymous Lover” and her ‘love affair’ with the composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. In 2022 Todaro staged “The Anonymous Lover” for Minnesota Opera. Paying homage to Bologne, she set the opera in 18th century {…}

Feb 17, 2023

Q & A: Harold Rosenbaum & William McClelland on Putting Together The New York Virtuoso Singers’ ‘American Invention’

On Sunday, Feb. 19, the New York Virtuoso Singers will present “American Invention,” a concert featuring seven world and New York premieres by such composers as Anthony David, Tania León, Elena Ruehr, Peter Zummo, Edie Hill, William McClelland, and David Paterson. Leading the performance will be conductor Harold Rosenbaum. OperaWire spoke with Rosenbaum and McClelland about the program, how it {…}

Feb 17, 2023

Rising to the Top: Chanáe Curtis & Darren Drone on Performing ‘Falstaff’ at Opera San Jose

To talk with the rising stars of Opera San Jose’s upcoming production of “Falstaff” was more than a treat: it was a privilege. The perspectives of soprano Chanáe Curtis and baritone Darren Drone promise rich and vibrant contributions to their future musical careers. Each of the young singers showed a genuine commitment to opera and their contributions to it. In {…}

Feb 17, 2023

Q & A: Director Vincent Huguet on the Mozart-Da Ponte Trilogy & Directing ‘Rigoletto’

Vincent Huguet is one of the most promising directors of today’s operatic world. Since his debut with “Lakme” at the Montpellier Opera in 2012, he has staged the “Mozart Da Ponte Trilogy” at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin—conducted by Daniel Barenboim and with the three shows performed over four days during the Berlin Festtage, Massenet’s “Manon” for Paris {…}

Jan 29, 2023

Q &A: Gregory Kunde on the Royal Opera House, Metropolitan Opera, Opera Education & New Roles

Gregory Kunde is an immensely accomplished tenor on the international stage. Highly acclaimed as being at the forefront of the French and Italian Bel Canto repertoire, he has now established himself as a leading exponent in more dramatic roles, including Verdi. He has performed at pretty much every theatre in the world under all the great conductors, singing alongside some {…}

Jan 28, 2023

Continuing to Defy Vocal Categorization – Stephanie Blythe Takes on Gianni Schicchi

Listeners can refer to her however they wish, but Stephanie Blythe has always resisted categorizing herself as a mezzo-soprano, an alto, a contralto, or any other voice type. In her mind, she is a “vocalist.” Considering her upcoming appearances at San Diego Opera, her second foray into a role outside her gender, any attempt to categorize her voice will be {…}

Jan 27, 2023

Q & A: Antonina Ermolenko on the War in Ukraine & Russian Music

On Jan. 28, Ukrainian-Canadian dramatic soprano Antonina Ermolenko will perform music by Mussorgsky in Ottawa. The soprano was originally hesitant to perform the works due to Russian’s ongoing assault on Ukraine and the her subsequent repulsion at the idea of performing Russian music. However, after discussions with her family, she realized that the power of music is that it speaks {…}

Jan 20, 2023

Q & A: Composer Tan Dun on Creating ‘Buddha Passion’

Tan Dun is arguably the most famous and influential Chinese composer, having written numerous operas such as “The First Emperor,” “Marco Polo,” “The Peony Pavilion,” and “Tea: A Mirror of Soul.” He has also written film scores (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”), organic music, and several classical and symphonic works. And now, there’s “Buddha Passion.” Inspired by the famed Chinese composer’s {…}

Jan 18, 2023

In Less Than Five Minutes, Get To Know – Soprano Marie Lys

Swiss soprano Marie Lys has had a busy past few months. Among other numerous engagements, she stood in at the last moment for the indisposed Cecilia Bartoli in the role of Alcina at Florence’s Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, receiving widespread acclaim for her performance from both audiences and critics. Having just finished a run of successful performances in houses across northern {…}

Interviews

Q & A: Maria Todaro on Her New Productions of ‘The Anonymous Lover’ & Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges

Q & A: Harold Rosenbaum & William McClelland on Putting Together The New York Virtuoso Singers’ ‘American Invention’

Rising to the Top: Chanáe Curtis & Darren Drone on Performing ‘Falstaff’ at Opera San Jose

Q & A: Director Vincent Huguet on the Mozart-Da Ponte Trilogy & Directing ‘Rigoletto’

Q &A: Gregory Kunde on the Royal Opera House, Metropolitan Opera, Opera Education & New Roles

Continuing to Defy Vocal Categorization – Stephanie Blythe Takes on Gianni Schicchi

Q & A: Antonina Ermolenko on the War in Ukraine & Russian Music

Q & A: Composer Tan Dun on Creating ‘Buddha Passion’

In Less Than Five Minutes, Get To Know – Soprano Marie Lys